George Wright to Lorenzo Thomas, June 12, 1862

Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS, Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. 0.:

GENERAL: I have nothing later from Brigadier-General Carleton’s command than was reported in my communication of yesterday. Ihave this morning received reports from Colonel Lippitt, commanding the District of Humboldt. The colonel has ten companies of infantry and one of cavalry actively engaged in subduing the Indians in his district. Nearly 300 Indians have been collected and brought into Fort Humboldt preparatory to their removal to the reservation; still there is a strong band of Indians, well armed, who are constantly attacking small parties and isolated settlements. This band must be subdued and captured before we can have peace throughout that region. The country presents almost insurmountable obstacles to the movements of the troops. The dense forests, with obscure trails, with which the Indians are well acquainted, afford them every advantage. Nevertheless, Colonel Lippitt and the troops under his command have exhibited a zeal, energy, and perseverance which must ultimately result in success. Colonel Connor, Third Infantry California Volunteers, is, with his regiment, encamped near Stockton. Transportation and supplies are being collected for a movement on the Overland Mail Route as soon as the mountain road is passable for wagons. The department quartermastergeneral, Lieutenant-Colonel Babbitt, is now closing his contracts for the transportation of supplies to Ruby Yalley, and also to Salt Lake. From the District of Oregon I have nothing special to report. Colonel Steinberger having relieved Lieutenant-Colonel Cady in command of the District of Oregon, I have authorized the latter officer to remain at Fort Vancouver for the present, he being in ill health and receiving medical treatment by the surgeon at that post. Most of the volunteer regiments of California require a considerable number of recruits to fill them up. Owing to the pressing wants of the service, companies were organized at the minimum number and hastily thrown out to remote posts to relieve the regular troops ordered East. Those companies have received no accessions to their numbers since that time, and have been, in fact, materially reduced by the casualties of the service. Under these circumstances I would respectfully ask that authority be granted to fill the volunteer regiments in this department by reopening the recruiting stations. ;

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,